I don't like how they styled it. Profile looks like the Camry and the taillights are from the Accord. Why copy them? The outgoing model was more unique.
Underneath is a much better car, I can't wait to see the Kia Optima version, which might also be sportier.
i saw that same car in hyannis mass and i dont think it exists... i guess sl65 or some other 65amg badging and the guy is to dumb to put 65 instead of 60
I must say, I was very impressed with the new Sonata...It would be on my list if I were looking for a $20K "family sedan". Still not totally "sold" on Hyundai quality compared to a Toyota or Honda, but the Sonata looks great compared to an Accord
The new Sonata has been a strange car for us. Our previous Sonata owners hate it. I think hate might even be too nice a word to use. But the good news is that everybody else seems to like it. It is a very nice car, and you should be seeing them all over soon.
The new Sonata has been a strange car for us. Our previous Sonata owners hate it
That IS strange....Why do you think they hate it?
I think it looks great - If I were in the market for an Accord/Camry right now, I'd certainly put it on my shopping list. But then again, I'm more of a Honda/Acura "loyalist", not a Hyundai fan. I don't like the looks of the old (pre '06) Sonata much at all. The '06 Hyundai is the first Hyundai to hit my radar screen.
They think that the styling is too plain. No matter how good a car it is or should be, they are stuck on the look of the old one. Most seem to like the headlights of the last Sonata. People think it looks like a Jag or Mercedes. Personally, I thought the last style was a bit obnoxious, but beauty is in the eye of the beerholder.
What they've done with the new model is tried to appeal to the masses. Those who never would have considered a Hyundai before. As far as I can tell, it seems to be working.
Actually, Hyundai claimed they used the Audi A6 as inspiration for their exterior design. It looks that way, especially the curved roof.
I don't know if we get US built Sonatas in Kuwait, but I doubt it anyway. It's more likely to come from Korea. Likewise, Camrys are built in Georgetown, Kentucky I believe, but my Camry is built in Australia.
it's not new but it's the first I've seen in a very long time, a Hyundai Excel was riding in north Jersey the other day and the car looked to be in decent shape considering. the 155 12 tires looked amusing in this day and age but it was running.
Saw a 400h and what I think was a Tribeca this weekend on the NJ Turnpike. The Lexus driver still had his/her temp plates on and was driving at least 90.
I actually saw a Ford GT40 (i will not call it a Ford GT) today in the Hershey Area on my way into work. The car was Dark Blue with White Stripes and had everybody stopping and watching it (of course we were all at a red light LOL), but boy-howdy was she a sweet looking car.
I've had a good look at the same new Elise twice this week, once on the highway sans top and once parked w the top up.
I give Lotus a big thumbs up! The Elise looks like what it is a modern lightweight pure sports car for street and track. Some think the styling a bit insect like but I think it's nearly perfect. My only criticism would be of the overly bust rump of the car where four round tailights compete for a small space with a oversized chrome letters spelling out L-O-T-U-S.
The Titanium paint and the shutlines are as good as they get on a non-Mettalic body. It's interesting to see what a great job this non-British owner (Proton of Malaysia) is doing with the unique legacy of Lotus.
Saw a new sedan in Rehoboth Beach, DE, it really stands out in a nice way. Walked by a dozen Bimmers and Benzes but had to stop and admire the unique Maser.
I was on vacation and by pure chance drove by the Subaru plant in Lafayette, IN. Had no idea I was anywhere near the place. I stopped and asked if they gave tours but they needed more advance notice and I was just passing through. Lots and lots and lots of Tribecas on the back lot...
While waiting to make a turn into a particular tricky intersection I saw a SL55, CLK500 and a old-school E320 Cabriolet all with their tops down and one behind the other other. It would have been perfect for a MB commercial.
Finally saw my first Ridgeline on the road last evening, a white one. Caught sight of another Tribeca, black, this morning on my way to work with the temp plates on.
Today I saw three Hummer H1s parked in front of a large house. H1s arent new, but they're pretty rare, and I can see why. The Hummers were in brown, red and white.
Also saw a red Ferrari 360 Modena, blue 2006 Lexus GS300, red Ford Mustang and white 2006 BMW 3 series all at the mall.
I saw a red H3 today and a yellow H3 a few weeks back. From what I could see, it actually doesn't look too bad.
I also saw a car carrier full of Chevy HHRs, all the same dark grey color, this past Friday. I didn't know they were on sale yet. I like it, put I prefer the other retromobile's (PT Cruiser) curvy style compared to the blocky HHR style.
I ran a race at Teterboro Airport this past Saturday. A Mercedes rep was on-hand for promotional purposes. With him he brought a new M-class, a CLS500, and a Maybach 57. It was my first time seeing the Maybach upclose and it is quite the monster.
Around here, H2s are total soccer mommymobiles. I don't know who will buy the H3s. Who wants a smaller, sweeter version of the biggest, baddest?
By the way, at my daughters' preschool one of the moms drives a yellow H2. My five year old daughter got downright indignant with me when I tried to tell her it wasn't a school bus. Her reasoning was that it is yellow, huge, and has marker lights on the roof, and that makes it a school bus.
It is kind of ironic that the lady likely thinks she is oozing prestige, and my daughter thinks she is a bus driver and that her kids must be a little on the goofy side because they ride to school on the "short bus."
took a trip to NY this weekend. Saw quite a few chargers on the NY Thruway, so they must be getting out there. Saw some other stuff too, just cant remember what it was.
I have been noticing a lot of Cobalt's around (2 doors). I think I notice them because the taillights stand out, in a good way. Hard to go wrong copying Ferrari styling (unless it is the Enzo).
A yellow H2 is kind of a school bus. Both are just as inappropriate as a hauler for 1 or 2 people to their mall and child hauling duties. Brain addled trophy wives and clueless aging yuppies, unite!
"Who wants a smaller, sweeter version of the biggest, baddest? "
I think some soccer moms and similar types will. Lower price, less consumption, easier to park (and the drivers of these things often need help in that area) similar pseudo-intimidating looks.
I've seen a few more Cobal coupes over the past days. Seems the sedans beat them to market by many weeks. Still no SS on the road though...only seen one on a dealers lot, with a big second sticker I am sure,
I think it will sell pretty well - a lot of people that want an H2 but can't afford one CAN afford an H3. Big difference between the payment on a $32K vehicle vs. a $50K vehicle.
were all the B9 Tribecas, since Subies are thick as thieves here in New England and the new 'becas have been reported quite a bit on this board.
Well today I got a glimpse of one in the rearview and it wasn't at all unpleasant to look at, fish mouth and all. No doubt they'll be all over the place in a short while.
saw another new one on the road today near the house (to go along with the white one that lives 3 doors down from me). THis one was silver, a nice color for it.
I just saw a Buick Lacrosse for the first time - they must not be selling very well here. They look like a mildly updated LeSabre. Actually updated is too strong of a word, because to me it doesn't look any newer or more modern than the LeSabre.
Comments
P.S. do you get US built Sonatas in Kuwait?
Underneath is a much better car, I can't wait to see the Kia Optima version, which might also be sportier.
-juice
Rebadging a MB like that is indeed dumb
But actually, the upcoming Azera's taillights are more similar to the current Accord. The Sonata's head/tailights have some sharp edges at least.
Been inside one? They are shockingly nice. Not just "for a Hyundai", nice period.
-juice
That IS strange....Why do you think they hate it?
I think it looks great - If I were in the market for an Accord/Camry right now, I'd certainly put it on my shopping list. But then again, I'm more of a Honda/Acura "loyalist", not a Hyundai fan. I don't like the looks of the old (pre '06) Sonata much at all. The '06 Hyundai is the first Hyundai to hit my radar screen.
What they've done with the new model is tried to appeal to the masses. Those who never would have considered a Hyundai before. As far as I can tell, it seems to be working.
I don't know if we get US built Sonatas in Kuwait, but I doubt it anyway. It's more likely to come from Korea. Likewise, Camrys are built in Georgetown, Kentucky I believe, but my Camry is built in Australia.
Hyundai has come a long way, give them 3-5 years and the public (mostly) will embrace the brand and give them full consideration.
-juice
And now back to our regularly scheduled program
Odie
-juice
I give Lotus a big thumbs up! The Elise looks like what it is a modern lightweight pure sports car for street and track. Some think the styling a bit insect like but I think it's nearly perfect. My only criticism would be of the overly bust rump of the car where four round tailights compete for a small space with a oversized chrome letters spelling out L-O-T-U-S.
The Titanium paint and the shutlines are as good as they get on a non-Mettalic body. It's interesting to see what a great job this non-British owner (Proton of Malaysia) is doing with the unique legacy of Lotus.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
-juice
-juice
-Jason
M
-juice
Also saw a red Ferrari 360 Modena, blue 2006 Lexus GS300, red Ford Mustang and white 2006 BMW 3 series all at the mall.
Later, gotta go drive...some where!
-juice
I also saw a car carrier full of Chevy HHRs, all the same dark grey color, this past Friday. I didn't know they were on sale yet. I like it, put I prefer the other retromobile's (PT Cruiser) curvy style compared to the blocky HHR style.
By the way, at my daughters' preschool one of the moms drives a yellow H2. My five year old daughter got downright indignant with me when I tried to tell her it wasn't a school bus. Her reasoning was that it is yellow, huge, and has marker lights on the roof, and that makes it a school bus.
It is kind of ironic that the lady likely thinks she is oozing prestige, and my daughter thinks she is a bus driver and that her kids must be a little on the goofy side because they ride to school on the "short bus."
-juice
-juice
I have been noticing a lot of Cobalt's around (2 doors). I think I notice them because the taillights stand out, in a good way. Hard to go wrong copying Ferrari styling (unless it is the Enzo).
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
"Who wants a smaller, sweeter version of the biggest, baddest? "
I think some soccer moms and similar types will. Lower price, less consumption, easier to park (and the drivers of these things often need help in that area) similar pseudo-intimidating looks.
I've seen a few more Cobal coupes over the past days. Seems the sedans beat them to market by many weeks. Still no SS on the road though...only seen one on a dealers lot, with a big second sticker I am sure,
Well today I got a glimpse of one in the rearview and it wasn't at all unpleasant to look at, fish mouth and all. No doubt they'll be all over the place in a short while.
2001 BMW 330ci/E46, 2008 BMW 335i conv/E93
2020 Acura RDX tech SH-AWD, 2023 Maverick hybrid Lariat luxury package.
Also saw an Avalon and a Mustang. Those are abundant now.
Check out the pic I took below and you may understand the grille a little better. It evokes the aero heritage of FHI.
-juice
-juice
-juice